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You might have LDP?

If you experience sensations in your throat, shortness of breathe, find it hard to swallow (make abrasive grinding sounds when swallowing), or feel pressure in your throat? You may have LDP.
LDP stands for: Larynx Deep Positioning

LDP is when the muscles of the throat stiffen, and the hyoid bone, the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage move towards the cervical spine a few millimeters.

I reference this term as ‘Larynx Deep Positioning,’ because the larynx is located in a deeper position than normal.

If you cherish your voice, this should be a big deal!

LDP is a condition not disease, which means it can be controlled and treated.
It is not classified as a disease, even if you go to an Otolaryngologist.
An Otolaryngologist is an ear, nose and throat professional. I am an experienced Japanese Voice Care Specialist who is here to guide and educate you from my research and experience in helping treat individuals with LDP.

If you have a problem with losing your voice or swallowing food, a doctor will more than likely diagnose this as a disease and advise further testing and discuss treatment options. However, if it determined that the issues don’t interfere with your normal life, a Doctor will more than likely say “Let’s wait and give it some time to further progress” or “You do not need to worry about this issue right now, it may resolve itself.” Both of which, if an individual is suffering are difficult to accept or hear.
If you are persistent about this problem, a Doctor will eventually refer you to a Specialist. Finally, the individual suffering gives up and starts to explore hollistic approaches, oriental medicine, meditation, over the counter topicals, all in desperation … which in the end do not resolve the problem.

The following is my evaluation guide and alternative approach in understanding and determining the condition of LDP

1) Start with a visual examination of the Larynx: Check its location depth, see if the laryngeal prominence seems hidden, and if you can see a concave area along the edge of the thyroid cartilage.
2) Make clicking sounds: If the thyroid cartilage moves from side to side without pushing (gliding), or if it makes an abrasive grinding or crunchy sound.
3) Measure the muscle hardness using a meter: LDP…40-80Tone – Normal…20-30Tone – Good condition…10-20Tone
4) Choking often: If you choke a lot, even when you do not have a cold or bronchitis, this can also be considered an important symptom resulting from LDP. Most people overlook this, because the in most cases the symptoms are very minor.
5)Be mindful of slight individual variances: I use several different tests with my patients, focusing on the individual’s situation and variance degrees which in turn determine whether LDP is in fact the condition suffered.

(scroll down to view photos of a normal larynx and one with LDP)

So, does LDP heal naturally or not?
If the individual displays minor or short term symptoms they can possibly recover naturally by taking deep breaths, relaxing, stretching the neck muscles often, combined with taking a sufficient amounts of rest and/or sleep. With minor cases most are unaware they even have LDP.
If the symptoms are long term, LDP becomes chronic and most people start to become aware that they do have some sort of throat condition. Long term LDP, means (for more than a few months) the individual did not heal naturally due to the degree of their LDP or even lifestyle habits. In these cases, treatment is necessary for any means of symptom relief and recovery.

The Mechanics of LDP are muscles constricting, tiring and/or swelling of the muscles, making it difficult to extend by themselves. This can often be observed and diagnosed by the severity of inflammation present.
For example, when the muscles contract (tighten), and then return to extend again, with LDP those muscles become rigid from the contracting action. The antagonistic moves to the opposite direction and pulls the other muscle, similar to a seesaw. This action is what prevents the muscles from contracting normally. Soreness, coarseness, tightness, and swelling follow.

Another important factor, is if there is no distinct antagonistic observed around the larynx. Most muscles have a vector of direction leading vertical to the cervical spine. Unfortunately, if you shift or strain the muscles in your throat, it causes the larynx to be pulled to a deeper position than normal.
Eating disorders, especially when suffered daily, also causes swelling of the throat muscles. Due to the overextending and constriction of the muscles, most always lead to LDP and affect the voice. Be mindful, if you keep having these symptoms, it will result in a poor voice quality, and could even cause permanent damage.

The phenomenon is as follows:
(1)When the throat is deep-set,the resonance chamber narrows, especially the pharyngeal resonance chamber in the back of the hyoid bone. It loses resonance and changes the sound of the voice significantly.

(2)It’s narrow between the thyroid cartilage and the hyoid bone, creating poor blood circulation, causing lack of oxygen, making it difficult to disperse nutrition and fluids to the vocal chords. Consequently, stamina runs out easily for phonation and dryness will occur. (It’s easier to catch a cold or the flu when the throat is dry because the mucosa is more vulnerable)

(3) Suprahyoid muscles are negatively affected, which make it difficult to produce the sound of speech, when the associated muscles are stiff.

(4)The arytenoid cartilago corniculata is pressured, forcibly moved and rotated to the outside and glottis is opened. Noticeably, the voice will crack and sound coarse.

Normal Observation
LDP Observation

Note1:It is all too common when seeking a diagnosis of LDP that many Doctors state that, ‘there is no obvious problem with your throat ‘ and ‘maybe this issue is due to stress or recent lifestyle changes’ or is sometimes misdiagnosed as ‘abnormal sensation syndrome of throat.’ Although, I have seen in some rare cases that LDP was ’caused’ by extreme stress and or muscle tension, but it’s form is obviously much more than just that.
Note2:As a Voice Care Specialist I have seen many cases involving LDP over the years. I started this blog to educate people, share my experiences in cases and studies, and help those suffering who are looking for answers.
Note3:If you feel like choking often, due to stress, reflux esophagitis, or any of these chronic symptoms, please seek a Medical Diagnosis to avoid any further damage. After a diagnosis is found please seek treatment, as if it is LDP it can be managed and recovery/relief is possible.

I have many other posts on this blog relating to research as well as individual cases involving Larynx Deep Positioning (LDP).
My purpose is to make a difference in the Medical world as well as individuals, who wish to learn more about the condition and treatment options for those who have LDP.